Of Karma born, in Karma grown,
in Karma does man die. So rules Karma, all stages of human life
as though it is the very deity of human existence. Of joy and
sorrow, the master is Karma.(Telugu poem)

Of the denizens of creation human beings are the highest. It is
said Jantunam Nara Janma Durlabham (of all living beings,
birth as human is the rarest). It is the human creation that has
caused major changes in the world. Joy does not exist alone and
is entwined with sorrow and vice versa and the human being is
the root cause for both happiness and sorrow.

Embodiments of Love!
Nowadays man is unable to realise his true nature because he is
giving importance to only the physical form. He has lost his
reasoning faculty. As he calls himself a human being, it is his
duty to realise the uniqueness of humanness. A person cannot
name himself a human being merely on the basis of his birth and
educational qualifications. Actually, real humanness cannot be
found in academic degrees. Even birds and beasts can be taught
certain skills to perform wonderful feats imitating human
beings. It is no credit to a human being deriving satisfaction
simply by empty rhetoric, quoting Scriptures and relating to
others. Real humanness consists in practising ideals in one's
life and setting an example to others. Man has no authority to
teach ideals to others without putting them into practice
himself first. There is immense divine power in human beings. He
is not simply a Dehadhari (one who has assumed a human
body). He is endowed with Vijnana (higher wisdom),
Prajnana (constant integrated awareness) and Sujnana
(discriminatory knowledge). He is, therefore, expected to
channelise these higher forms of knowledge in the right path.
First and foremost, one has to understand the true meaning of
Jnana. Some people think that knowledge acquired by reading
numerous books is Jnana. No, this is not correct. Real
Jnana is the knowledge that emerges from one's own self and
which is experienced and taught to others. Finally, this would
enable the person concerned to be greatly benefited and
enlightened.

One has to realise the importance of the term, "human quality"
first. Human quality emerges from one's own self. It cannot be
acquired by reading textbooks or listening to others.

Embodiments of Love!
You have come all the way from Kerala and assembled here to
acquire Jnana and to know the real meaning of the terms
Prajnana, Vijnana, Sujnana. Mere textual
knowledge without practical knowledge becomes ‘allergy'. On the
other hand, when bookish knowledge is transformed into practical
knowledge, it becomes "energy". If you wish to know what is real
knowledge. That which has been acquired by practice is the real
knowledge. That alone would entitle you to the epithet
Manavatwa (humanness).

Embodiments of Love!
All that we teach to others must be supported by practice.
Everything is reaction, reflection and resound of one's own
inner being. Every word we utter is the resound of the inner
being. Reflection is that which is contemplated upon,
experienced and put into practice. The third aspect, reaction is
however, very important. Reaction comes out of action. Hence our
actions must always be pure and sacred. The three aspects
"reaction", "reflection" and "resound" occupy a place of
prominence in the life of a human being. Whatever man learns
today comes under the category of resound, meaning, they are
taught by the teacher from textbooks. This is bookish knowledge.
Resound comes out of reaction and reaction transforms itself
into reflection. The unity of all these three aspects constitute
humanness. Hence, a human being should not waste his time by
empty rhetoric. Every word he utters must be backed by deep
contemplation and knowledge of its inner meaning. It is only
after that he should try to teach others. Unfortunately, these
days mere bookish knowledge is considered as true knowledge and
a lot of time is spent in acquiring it. Real knowledge should
emerge from the Mastaka (head and heart). One should,
therefore, cleanse his head and heart and remove the impurities
therein. Then only, is it possible to understand things in the
right perspective and acquire wisdom.

Exult not on your erudition oh man, without humble prayer and
devotion to your indwelling god, all your learning is just a
load in your head. (Telugu poem)

Embodiments of Love!
It may be necessary for you to adapt yourself to new techniques
and practices from time to time. At present the world is
undergoing phenomenal changes. All those changes may not be
relevant to you. Nevertheless, you are required to acquire
several branches of knowledge in the modern times to cope with
the rapid changes in science and technology taking place all
over the world. However, they do not constitute real Vidya
(knowledge). Real education is that by which one is able to
realise one's own nature. Avidya breeds Avidya.
Hence, one cannot become great by pursuing secular education.
One has to make efforts to distinguish between Vidya and
Avidya. Vidya is that by which one can develop the power
of reasoning and discrimination and realise the truth. On the
other hand, Avidya constitutes indiscriminate usage of
words and vain argumentation. One has to acquire practical
knowledge as well by which one can gain experience. This
experience can be shared with others. Such practical knowledge
and experience confer strength on a person. However, this
strength is not to be construed as mere physical strength. It is
like the electrical energy latent in a wire. Just as there is
electrical energy in a live wire, similarly, there is latent
energy in the human body which manifests in different ways. It
can be harnessed for different purposes like reading, writing,
walking, talking, etc. It has, however, no form. Nevertheless,
it travels throughout the body of a human being from head to
toe. By tapping this energy, an Ajnani (ignorant person)
can become Jnani (one of wisdom).

Embodiments of Love!
You are all students and you continue to be so throughout your
life. It is a mistake to think that you have finished your
education and are now engaged in service activities. You are not
servants working under somebody. In fact, you are leaders. It is
a mistake to confer doership on yourselves for any service
activity undertaken by you. This should never happen. In fact,
whatever service activities you are undertaking are for your own
upliftment. These service activities must be undertaken with
self-confidence, self-satisfaction, self-sacrifice and
ultimately for the purpose of self-realisation. Thus, the spirit
of service develops from the self. Service is not any way
construed to be helping others. You may think that you are
helping others by joining the Sathya Sai Seva Organisation and
undertaking service activities. This is not correct. Also, you
need not seek the help of others in these service activities.
You can depend upon your own innate strength and energy. The
power of your own self will help you in all your endeavours. In
fact, you are the beneficiary of all your service activities and
not others. Your own self will protect you in your endeavours.

Members of the Seva Dal!
You may think that you have come here for undertaking service.
This service is not for others. You are coming here for serving
your own self, just as you eat food for filling your own
stomach. Man undertakes every activity for his self-fulfilment.

There are several things which you have to learn in these two
days. We will discuss these matters later. Since this is the
first day, I spoke to you in detail so that you may understand
the spirit of service. There are several other things which you
have to learn. What is Seva Dal? Each member of the Seva Dal is
like a Dal (petal) in a beautiful flower. There are several
skills to be learnt by the members of the Seva Dal. If you plant
a sapling, it will grow into a plant in due course and yield
beautiful flowers. However, the sapling by itself is not
attractive. When the plant grows and yields flowers, the beauty
of the flowers and fragrance therein will provide joy to one and
all. There are several petals in a flower. The flower appears
beautiful as long as there are petals in it. Once the petals
fade and fall down, the flower ceases to exist. Hence, you
should be like the petals of a beautiful flower. Let everyone
experience the beauty and enjoy the fragrance of the flower in
which you are like the petals. There are several things still to
be told to you which Mukundan will tell you. Later on, I will
provide any clarifications you may require.